Child Sexual Abuse

 Child sexual abuse is a significant problem that effects about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys. The CDC estimates that 90% of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child or family knows.

Child sexual abuse is defined as, "any completed or attempted (noncompleted) sexual act, sexual contact with, or exploitation (ie, noncontact sexual interaction) of a child by a caregiver." Child sexual abuse can take many forms including inappropriate touching, exposure to pornography or any inappropriate sexual acts, and sex trafficking.

Child sexual abuse can have multiple long-lasting adverse effects on a child. These adverse effects can be physical, mental, and/or behavioral. The CDC lists the following as potential adverse effects of child sexual abuse: unplanned pregnancies/STI's, physical injuries, chronic illnesses later in life including heart disease, obesity, and cancer, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and an increased risk of suicide. Other negative effects of this trauma can include physical symptoms of bed wetting, difficulty with walking or sitting, frequent UTI's, along with behavioral changes that include aggression/acting out, poor school performance, as well as changes in eating and sleeping. 

FACT provides no cost therapeutic services to children who have been sexually abused. Therapy can provide children with a healthy outlet as they learn coping skills to deal with the trauma.